4 Great Ways To Give Back Without Money

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volunteer-1326758_960_720The basis of philanthropy is concern for the welfare or wellbeing of others. It is driven by an understanding that there are some which are less fortunate, or causes which require action and attention, and many times, addressing the number of problems that persist in our world and the communities around us, involves money. Money to eliminate disparities in health and education, money to provide for the hungry, and money to support research for issues like heart disease or leukemia. Undeniably, money helps, but it is not the only through which we can show our support and make a difference. Even still, there are some who don’t have the money to make a difference. Yet, that shouldn’t keep others from being involved.

There are a number of ways to be involved in the efforts to make our world better by giving back. It’s about being involved, it about using the resource of time to change what you can. Here are some of the ways below:

 

  1. Volunteer
    Of course, one of the most known ways to give back is by volunteering. There are a number of events, from helping clean up community parks to working events, like marathons or concerts for health initiatives. These are great and necessary, but in addition to these efforts, you can use your skills and knowledge of specialized subjects to give back to organizations in need of your expertise. For example, as an accountant or graphic designer, you can offer your services to organizations that support causes about which you’re most passionate, in lieu of payment. Doing so allows the organization to devote more of their financial resources to the mission.
  2. Spread Awareness
    The great thing about social media is the legions of people to which we have access, simply by being online. As I’ve discussed previously, this is why crowdfunding tools like Kickstarter and GoFundMe are so powerful, and campaigns like #GivingTuesday have increased amounts of online giving. As a part of this audience, if you don’t have the money to give at the time (or even if you do), it helps to spread the word to others who can give. Passing the information along or even bringing it to the attention of your network goes a long way. Of course, you can’t determine whether people will give, but you never know what will inspire others. When doing so, encourage others to pass the information along as well.
  3. Online Games
    Charity is not a game, but websites like Free Rice have made it possible for those who care (and have a little time to spare) to make a difference while playing a simple game of answering vocabulary questions. When individuals answer questions correctly, the organization donates 20 grains of rice to an impoverished country. If it sounds simple, it is. But it’s also effective, and something that requires nothing more than thought and a willingness to learn for the lesser known words featured in the game. What better way to spend time playing a game than to play one that’s actually feeding hungry children.
  4. Donations
    Last but not least, being conscious of things you no longer need, and making the effort to give them to someone who could better use them. Whether it is clothes, non-perishable food, or housewares, instead of throwing things out, consider sharing with people in need. Organizations like the Salvation Army and Goodwill readily accept donations, and are a resource for millions of families with low incomes, the elderly, and others with disabilities which prevent them from working. Packing up and dropping off takes but a small amount of your time. If you’re truly busy or lack transportation, there are organizations such as the Purple Heart Foundation and PickUpPlease.org, willing to pick up your donations, and use them to support veterans facing difficult times.

All of these are great things to do in lieu of or as a compliment to monetary donations. Either way, the goal should be to help. If that’s your focus, what you’re able to do will truly be appreciated and effective.

Is Tidal Changing The Tide of Philanthropy?

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TidalhifiWhen the biggest names in music, headed by rapper/businessman Jay-Z, held a press conference to announce a new streaming service last year, many disregarded it as a marketing ploy or yet another example of celebrity narcissism, while others immediately disregarded the acquisition as a failed investment, unable to make a dent in the very saturated market nor overcome strong competition. After all, the service was presented as a chance for musicians to take back their art, and rebel against the similar services, which have come under fire for low payments compared to other services, resulting in celebrities like Taylor Swift removing their music altogether. However, that type of activism doesn’t necessarily resonate with the general public, which sees those who backed the project, namely Nicki Minaj, Madonna, Deadmau5, Kanye West, and Rihanna, as highly successful regardless, not in need in further support or seemingly charitable revolution from music fans.

Not everyone was skeptical about the project, though. There were quite a few fans who joined together with the stars, and showed solidarity on social media, changing their profile pictures to an aqua blue color, promoted by the marketing team for the service’s launch. Likewise, many signed up and began paying for the service–approximately more than 1 million, compared to the service’s thousands of paying users prior to Jay-Z’s leadership. It was certainly helped by exclusive releases and partnerships from other music stars. Still, the company has yet to reach the success of rival, Spotify, which boasts 20 million subscribers. Nevertheless, as the company moves toward a more philanthropic focus, it seems that paying users, or even more money from streaming services, may no longer be the end goal.

In the fall of last year, to celebrate the company’s success, its owners hosted a concert in New York City. It was later revealed that the proceeds from the show would be donated to charity. The concert raised an estimated $1.5 million, and donated the proceeds to the New World Foundation and other organizations which support civil rights and social justice efforts around the country. More recently, rapper Lil Wayne, who joined Tidal after its initial launch, noted a project that he led with the support of the company, that encouraged college students to be active in their own communities, through philanthropic efforts like toy drives, feeding the homeless, and raising money for the special olympics. In return, the rapper would perform a concert at the winning school, which has already been selected, as he remarked in the Huffington Post.

Despite being unable to match the numbers of its biggest competitors, it’s good to know that Tidal is doing something worthwhile with its roster of celebrity owners, and looking for others in need, not just themselves. I fully support the idea of businesses giving back, and encouraging others to do the same in the process. Hopefully this is just the beginning for Tidal, and perhaps it will inspire similar companies to get on board as well.

What Is A Giving Circle?

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team-386673_960_720An increasing number of people are realizing that simply donating money isn’t enough. Instead, people want to be sure that what they do and where they give is making an impact and improving the causes about which they care.  As a result, philanthropic individuals have become more meticulous about charity and are putting in effort to ensure the effectiveness of their resources. Such has lead to an increase in volunteerism, as I discussed previously  with regard to millennial philanthropists. Yet, for others, methods like giving circles have become more attractive, extending the welcome trend of democracy in charitable giving.

What are giving circles?
The definition of a giving circle is simply a group of individuals which partner together to generate essentially a reservoir of money, with which they decide to give or donate to a cause/ organization by consensus. To come to that consensus, the members of the circle educate one another about issues and the worthiness of causes, in sense lobbying for any number of charities at a given time. Additionally, the circles are more involved in the process and in the success of the organization, oftentimes pitching in to support with community service. The rise of this trend first made waves in the state in the early 2000s, but the concept is believed to have roots in benefit societies like fraternities and similar organizations.

What are the benefits?
Giving circles provide ways for maximize the amount they can donate, thereby increasing impact. For those with lower incomes, the ability to make a effective difference can be realized. That’s why giving circles have been so popular amongst younger people. Furthermore, It provides a way for individuals who want to be involved to delve more deeply into the issues at hand. It is also inspiring, meaning that it drives others to want to be a part of the movement, which leads to better and more heartfelt donations.

More than money, though, giving circles can be fun when leaders and organizers get creative with how they will be conducted. Take South Carolina’s Dining for Women, for example. The members meet monthly to make contributions and share a meal with one another, then use the funds from partaking in the meal to support educational and skill development for women and girls around the world. Likewise, organizations like Philadelphia’s Impact100 host coffee meetups or cocktail hours, which provide opportunities to bring others into the fold, increasing the quantity of overall donations.

In fact, the same data also show that giving circles are most popular with women, and that the charities to which they give reflect a desire for equal opportunity and gender equality. But it doesn’t end there. Causes can range from grants for mentoring programs to submitting donations directly to nonprofits. Also, because of the group and voting nature of giving circles, they are not committed to any one group.

How to be involved
Getting involved as simple as doing a google search for giving circles in your area. Some time would have to be dedicated to researching their overall goals, membership requirements, and duties. Otherwise, you can really start your own. GivingCirclesFund.org provides steps for doing so.

#HashtagPhilanthropy and You

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Greg Sarangoulis's photo of a man with computersIn October, I posted a blog about technology’s impact on philanthropy and charity. I spoke about the ease of use and methods through which individuals can now give, thanks to advances in and the ubiquity of cellphones and computers throughout the world. Nevertheless, the effects of technology don’t end there. What people do with their devices and how they leverage the tools available to them, namely social media, are just as important. Hence, hashtag activism and the trend of online giving across websites and apps like Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, to name a few. Let’s talk about how that works and the ways you as an individual or your organization can get involved and/or benefit from this online giving movement.

These days, almost everyone has a social media account, and by everyone I mean upwards of 2 billion people throughout the world, and most of that growth is within the last decade. The ways people use these accounts and which ones they use all vary. Some people use a social site, like Snapchat, to stay in contact with friends, while others may use it to find jobs, like on LinkedIn and AngelList. Additionally, the demographics, with regard to age and interest, change from platform to platform, as well as location. Nevertheless, nonprofits and individuals alike have crafted ways to engage the diverse millions online, using a common tool (hashtagging) and a common value: charitable giving.

Take #GivingTuesday, the brainchild of community organizers in New York City, for instance. Inspired by the enormous amounts of spending by most Americans on the days following Thanksgiving, like Black Friday and, more recently, Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday was created to provide a voice for nonprofits and leaders of philanthropic efforts and to spark interest in end-of-year giving for online users. In almost 4 years, the organization has amassed over 15 billion impression across the Internet, is now partnered with 30,000 organizations in 68 countries, and increased the amount of online giving by 470% since its first year in 2012.

The success behind the movement, and the benefit of using hashtags, is its ability to reach individuals outside of immediate networks. Hashtags allow the millions of social media users to access information and content from individuals who employ the same theme or tag. As a result, anyone, anywhere, and at any time can participate in a given conversation or, in this case, charity, with the tap of a finger.

For other nonprofits, the lesson in this is to know which hashtags are already popular on the net, and to include them when places causes online. If you decide to create your own, make sure it is unique, relevant to your cause or organization, and that everyone in your network is using the same tag. For those who want to be involved and find causes to which they want to give, check this list and search on the social sites to which you belong. As always, spread the news. The world works better when we all get involved.

Giving Is Good For Your Health

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Greg Sarangoulis's picture of a woman preparing to runFor many people, giving back is a way to help others: a kind of moral responsibility for those who have, to share with those who do not. We’re taught to do so as children, and those values remain as we grow into adulthood. Likewise, some pursue philanthropy as a way to affect change in a society where problems are constant and help is necessary. At any rate, the goal, it seems, is to help others more than to better oneself. However, the latter may be occurring as a result.

Multiple studies published over the last few years show that charitable giving may actually be as good for your physical health as it is for your conscience. One such study, published in the  International Journal of Psychophysiology in 2006 concluded that community service may lead to lower blood pressure and decrease heart-related illnesses. Furthermore, the same study determined that such actions increase self esteem. Other associated benefits, from similar research imply that giving, whether through monetary donations or organizational volunteering, can increase life expectancy and overall happiness.

More recently, Baris K. Yörük, an associate professor of economics at the University at Albany-SUNY, looked at these factors and added to them the idea that tax subsidies, as a result of charitable giving, may also be helpful in creating better health. What Mr. Yoruk found was that as subsidies increase, health increased; a positive correlation between giving and health, nonetheless. Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, Mr. Yoruk further explained this concept, saying:

“Tax subsidies have a statistically significant impact on lung disease, arthritis and emotional disorders…Emotional problems make sense because the medical literature also finds a positive effect of charitable giving on psychological well being, but the positive impact on arthritis or lung disease is less clear.”

While psychological well-being, arthritis, and blood pressure are very significant issues shown to be positively affected by giving, philanthropy has an effect on smaller issues as well. Dr. Stephen Post suggests that volunteering could reduce the risk of catching a cold, since those who are socially connected are less likely to do so. This is particularly relevant as we approach cold and flu season.

This is encouraging data. Of course, the idea of giving money or time could be considered selfless; many share the core value of putting the needs of others before their own. In doing so, however, you could very well be establishing better health and wellness for yourself, and, consequently, for those around you.

Millennials Value Charity More Than Money

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Greg Sarangoulis's picture of moneyMillennials (defined as the generation born between 1982 and 2004, or those who became adults at the turn of the 21st Century) get a bad rap. According to a study produced by San Diego State University psychology professor, Jean M. Twenge, the cohort is the most selfish and least religious generation in America’s history; they also lack any allegiance to a particular political party, and are notoriously independent in comparison to generations before them, such as the Baby Boomer generation and Generation X. Such classifications have led others to believe that millennials are individualistic and lacking in ethics. However, recent data shows that the group is also very philanthropic and proponents of charitable giving.

Despite a less than stellar reputation, the impact of millennials is rarely contested. The group did not create the internet, but they are the first to master it, in addition to creating large social platforms, like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, which are now as ubiquitous as any other media, if not more. Millennials have a voice, a large one of which they’re aware, and they use it; apparently for the greater good.

Of the 30 million millennials currently employed, nearly 84% of them reported having donated to a charitable cause, as a part of the social responsibility efforts of their employers. Still, around 23.4 million (78%) of them reported doing so independently: that is, donating without being urged by or through their employers. This is in addition to information that millennials value working toward a cause or something meaningful more than they value large salaries, though their managers have thought otherwise.

Adding credibility to this argument is a recent report, which suggests that millennials aren’t just giving funds, they’re giving time. Nearly half (49%) of all millennials polled reported volunteering for charitable causes outside of work. Once again, the number was greater than those of the two previous generations, by more than 10 percent.

What this means for companies looking to attract or retain millennials as Baby Boomers and Generation X age out of the primary work force, is a need for greater focus on social responsibility. Philanthropy supercedes salary for a large majority of this group, so hoping to attract the best of the crop with money alone may not be the most effective strategy. Despite being considered lazy and selfish amongst other things, millennials are showing that they will work when given a meaningful reason to do so. That is good news for everybody.

How Technology Is Transforming Corporate Social Responsibility

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Greg SarangoulisThe relationship between technology and corporate social responsibility is deeply intertwined and worthy of serious consideration, especially as social causes like poverty, education, and climate change proceed to grow in global prominence. As the problems we tackle as a society grow in scale, so too must the response of both public bodies and (equally impactful) private enterprise. Technology is playing an immense part in bridging the gap between our desire to address some seriously challenging issues plaguing society and our ability to actually create meaningful positive change.

For example, consider the way technology has transformed the way corporate givers can are able to connect with causes about which they care. Up until the last few years, employees were charged with the additional burden of navigating inefficient and inconvenient tech that was only able to complete simple tasks, like automating spreadsheets or paper pledges. The only purpose it could truly serve was creating a payroll deduction, asking for a match, and then automatically completing the rest of the process. This sort of tool is not really relevant in today’s world of social entrepreneurship, social venture, and overall culture of innovation. As a result, it has fallen into obscurity in a big way.

These days, employees are able to contribute to causes about which they care in an incredible variety of ways. Whether it be directly from their payroll, a credit card, commissions, Apple Pay, Paypal, or even bitcoins, employees can choose the method to give that most appeals to them and best suits their lifestyle. Giving happens in real time, rather than after a delay of as long as months (as was very recently the case by default). Employees are also increasingly invested in building a direct connection to the organizations they choose to support. More than just counting the amount of money they give, philanthropists today care about tracking the meaningful impact their gifts can create. It’s important to those who give today to be able to see and feel how they are benefiting a community or chipping away at a problem. They need to know their role in realizing the company’s social impact goals matters. As progress occurs, it’s important it be visible in real time, communicated and shared using tools like social media.

Volunteers and giving platforms today empower and encourage mass use and prompt more and more individualized user action. This body of technology will certainly continue to evolve in a way that more accurately tracks impact and shares successes.

Greg Sarangoulis on Redefining Good Business

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Greg Sarangoulis BusinessProfitable business is good business. In fact, it could be considered the very impetus for establishing any given enterprise; otherwise, it’s more or less a hobby. However, executives are increasingly realizing that profit alone isn’t what drives progress. Company values, exercised through philanthropy or what some call social responsibility, plays a large part in what many consider a successful business strategy. For businesses of all sizes worldwide, giving back is proving good for business.

Take Microsoft exec Paul Allen for example. In the last year alone, he has given over $100 million dollars toward eradicating the Ebola disease in African countries. Yet even that pales in comparison to the fact he’s donated nearly $2 billion of his fortune to various projects in his hometown (and Microsoft Headquarters) Seattle, Washington. Those are huge sums of money, and yes, he has it to give away, but, how is doing so good for business? Speaking with the New York Times yesterday, Mr. Allen answered that question and shared his thought process behind what giving means for him as well for business. Personally, giving back is a way for Mr. Allen to affect change, to bring his hopes for the future to fruition. As a businessman, investing in philanthropic efforts can bring about economic returns in the same way venture capitalism does, provided the project, idea or medical research–one of his many ventures–becomes profitable. In that way, you’ve not only done something good for the community, in a moral sense, you’re doing something great for your shareholders by being in a position to benefit from that investment over time.

Vikram Pandit, CEO of Citigroup, shares that philosophy as well. Concerning Citigroup’s recent partnership with the United Negro College Fund and KIPP Schools, which would help low-income students save for college, thereby providing providing ways for financial security and inclusion, Mr. Pandit said, “Do I believe that it’s ultimately good business? Of course. Anything that makes your communities prosper has to be good business…There could be some people who believe they’re at odds. But this is so squarely in the pathway of our purpose, our mission, that it’s not incongruent with what is right for our shareholders. The primary goals of our foundation and our community efforts is to drive financial inclusion. How can that be bad for shareholders on any long-term basis?” In this instance, the investment may not be as immediate nor tangible as medical research or museums, like those of Paul Allen, however, the concept is the same. Do good now, see the returns personally and economically, down the road.

Still, it isn’t just company executives taking on this idea. Arison Investments’ 27,000 employees across more than 40 countries are all, voluntarily, involved in some philanthropic endeavor as a result of the company’s “Doing Good Model” program. Chairman and CEO of Arison Investments, Efrat Peled, spoke to Inc. Magazine about the program and its benefits for business, saying:

“Ethical business conduct and peak performance go hand in hand. Economic stability can only be reached through investments in the business that bring positive impact on all levels of the organizations.”
“Committing to a long-term strategy inspires unexpected solutions that are unique and practical. Bank Hapoalim, Arison’s financial services group, focused its vision on the value of Financial Freedom, and leveraged its leadership to set into motion transformative processes in the entire market, including its Small Businesses Initiative that resulted in increased nation-wide growth for small and medium-sized businesses — which, in turn, drove growth opportunities for the business.”

So, while profit is in fact good for business, it should not be the sole focus. As these stories show, philanthropy is good for business in all ways: it gives the business a voice, builds the morale of employees, enhances the company’s moral standing within the community it serves, and is an investment that leads to returns for shareholders. That’s a recipe for success in which we can all take part.

Philanthropy & Business: How Giving Back Goes Far

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gregsarangoulisPhilanthropy is a critical ingredient for success by any metric you choose to measure it. Giving back to the community should absolutely be a way of life. There is little in this life more rewarding than understanding your position and ability to positively impact the world around you and capitalizing on that opportunity. It isn’t just great for the people you help. It’s also good for business. A sincere investment in the community nurtures relationships, including those you build with both current and potential clients. It also helps define your brand and encourages employee engagement. Also worth remembering – people prefer to do business with real people who share their values.

It has been said that money makes the world go round, but you should never take for granted the people who are exchanging it. Any businessman can attest to the fact that even the best product or service in the world is best paired with personal connection. Relationships are critical. One of the best way to cultivate meaningful relationships and open the channels for honest and productive conversation between potential business partners is to just get out of the office. Donating time or money usually creates ample opportunity to meet other likeminded parties who also find the cause at hand important enough to warrant some form of support. This is an automatic, built-in conversation piece and guaranteed common ground. Leverage it! New contracts or increased customer loyalty can be a happy byproduct of just getting to know these equally concerned or invested people better and connecting on a level that extends beyond the daily demands of the workplace. The sensation of working together to achieve a goal, whether it be to diminish hunger, improve poverty rates, fund research for a cure to an ailment, or someone else entirely, can bring your business and potential clients much closer together. As a result, you are likely to find it is easier for them to see how well working with you in a professional capacity can be too.

This also speaks to how great philanthropy can transform your brand recognition. Depending on your industry and how long you have had a presence therein, it might be difficult to make a name for yourself. Committing yourself to a charitable cause is not only a great way to meet other people interested in supporting the same organization, but to indicate loudly to everyone else that your company stands for something. It can add depth and personability to your name in a way that resonates much more emotionally on a personal level than any ad campaign could. That doesn’t only apply to potential customers too. Having a company-wide commitment to a cause is a great way to promote employee engagement by making the workplace about more than turning a profit or completing a task list. It can transform a normal office to a team of community members working together to make the world a better place.

Greg Donates to the Kutztown Community Library

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Greg SarangoulisGreg Sarangoulis, a Pennsylvania native and local developer, deeply appreciates the importance of community spaces and literary enrichment. As such, when he learned of an opportunity to support the Kutztown Community Library, Greg knew he had a moral duty to contribute to their well-being. The Kutztown Community Library Board of Directors expressed gratitude for Greg’s understanding of their work and its importance in the area.
Greg Sarangoulis personally presented a check for $4,000 which was allocated for general purposes, including upkeep of the facility and its programming. He also shared he was excited that his gift might benefit the children, adults, and students of all ages who use the library. As the developer of local residential complexes Apollo Point Apartments and Advantage Point Apartments, he is familiar with the way in which great resources can advance the well-being of a larger community.
Greg grew up aware of the importance of community involvement. Giving money or time to causes that support the public good is a critical part of being a community leader. The simple act of helping others, whatever that may look like, can nurture a sense of being in the giver. It also encourages people to be more well-informed about the issues that matter to them – you are unlikely to just give blindly to any cause, so learning about places that could use help (like a public library) almost certainly goes hand-in-hand with discovering more information about the work they do and why it matters.
The gift was organized via the Maxatawny Township, whom Greg contacted with a request to make a donation that exemplifies his role as a community member and stakeholder. Private investors and gift are one of the ways that places like the Kutztown Community Library are able to survive, especially in a less than robust economy. Outside of his philanthropy, Greg also views his residential complexes as a long-term commitment to raise property values and improve the town overall. Advantage Point is devoted to serving students with a higher-end experience looking to remain near to campus. Apollo Point was designed with Lehigh Valley professionals in mind.